Fluxus

(movement, 1961-1978 -but still continued-)

History

There are many styles of artistic expressions. There is no single process that can really express the feelings and emotions of an artist. Fluxus, a global network of artists, fused together different elements to produce unique and distinguished art pieces. The group, which originated back in the 1960s, consisted of composers, designers and artists.
The movement was pioneered by John Cage when he had an encounter with music in the 50s. He created a class called ‘Experimental Composition in New York’. Here, he got involved with various artists who later on created Fluxus. The group included La Monte Young, Al Hansen, George Maciunas, Dick Higging and Jackson Mac Low, among others.

Legacy and Influence

The Fluxus movement is referred to as an ‘anti-commercial art’. It went on to hold many festivals under its name. These events were held in cultural places like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris, New York, and London. The shows included avant grande and unique performances on the street. The boom of experimental artists was sparked by Fluxus. It totally redefined what art is and should be.
Fluxus derived from the Latin term to flow or flux which means flowing or fluid. Fluxus merged various medium of art and different representations of them. The group was active in creating phenomenal works in music, arts, and literature. It also influenced urban planning, design, and architecture.
Often referred to as intermedia, Fluxus also gave rise to the idea of do-it-yourself aesthetic, which gives full rights to artist to express themselves without being confined to the standards of commercial art. It also encourages simplicity versus complexity. The group encouraged artists to be true to themselves and to create artworks with high commercial value but low on personal style and expression.
Fluxus want artists to work with materials at hand and even create their own material. Collaboration is also fully encouraged among like-minded people and other colleague. Hand labor is highly appreciated and outsourcing is almost a blasphemy within the group.

Major Concepts

The artists have Fluxus artistic philosophy embedded in their work. There are four values that make the Fluxus philosophy:
• Attitude- Attitude is not defined by style or movement.
• Intermedia – fusion of different media and materials. Materials are highly regarded when they are everyday objects and elements. The creation of new sounds, images and texts through a combination of elements are also highly regarded.
• Simplicity- Art is precise, often small. Texts are written short. Performances are quick and brief.
• Fun- Humor is an integral part of what Fluxus represents.
Fluxus artists are a rather small group of creative people but their members are very high esteemed in the industry and with big followers. These include the names Eric Andersen, Ay-O, Giuseppe Chari, Terry Riley, John Armleder and Al Hansen, among many others.
Their works are archived in many of the libraries and museums all over the United States and all over the globe. This includes the Alternative Traditions in Contemporary Art in Iowa, Artpool in Budapest, Museo in Spain, and the Israel Museum in Israel.

Fluxus was the 20th century’s first truly international, inter-medial art movement. Although it began in Europe, many American artists  George Maciunas, Dick Higgins, Alison Knowles, Benjamin Patterson, Emmett Williams  were at the centre of the group, which soon spread to the USA and Japan…